Happy Friday everyone! Can you believe how close to Christmas it is? We are leaving for the holidays next Saturday, so we are soaking in all the D.C. Christmas festivities this weekend, and as many movies as we can handle. I can’t wait to watch Rudolph with some Christmas cookies, see the National Christmas tree, lots and lots of Christmas lights and fingers crossed we’ll find time for Mary Queen of Scotts. I love Tudor history and can’t wait to see it! Here are some other things I’m loving this week -

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is back! If you aren’t watching it, you must! It’s so fun and funny and the clothes are just to die for.

The “Classical Christmas” station on Spotify is good if you are looking for some traditional carols.

These pink and periwinkle pajama bottoms have shooting stars and look so cozy and pretty, perfect for the long winter nights ahead (and they are about $16 right now).

Today I’ve put together a gift guide for all the men in your life. These are all gifts that my dad, husband and cousins have loved over the years, and I’m sure the men in your life will too! I know it can be hard to find stocking stuffers for guys, so I’ve included some of those as well. I hope this makes your shopping a little easier!

Black Panther - Black Panther was such an amazing movie, and all the guys in my life loved it. It’s on major sale this holiday season making it a great stocking stuffer.

Nike Golf Polo - This is my husband’s favorite golf polo. If anyone on your list golfs it’s a great present that you know will be used while they have fun.

Eye Fuel - My husband (and dad) both like using personal care products, and hate buying them. If the guy you’re shopping for is anything like that they’ll appreciate some grooming products that they don’t have to pick out.

Boat Shoes - Boat Shoes are another gift that the recipient is sure to use countless times and really appreciate.

Spherical Ice Cube Tray - These ice cube trays make the giant ice cubes for use in whiskey and other drinks that you don’t want watered down. I gave this to my husband last year and he still smiles whenever he pulls out one of the cubes.

Sports Tickets - Tickets to a sporting match is one of my go-to gifts for all the men on my list that love sports, like my brother-in-law.

Madden - I got my husband an X-Box a few years ago for Christmas and I recently found out (through his old game wanting pay for an upgrade, lol) that the new one is out. If the person on your list likes video games, I’m sure he’ll want this one.

Lego Man - I found out that Lego makes figurines that look like businessmen, judges, etc. etc. Aren’t they the perfect like tchotchke for his office?

Classic Nintendo Video Game - My husband loves his Xbox, and I’m sure he’d love this classic Nintendo, which costs less than $60 and hits the gift sweet spot - something he’ll love that he’d never buy for himself.

Patagonia Puffer - A cool winter jacket that’s sure to get lots of use over the years. Every time he puts it on he’ll think of you.

What are your go to presents for the men in your life? Happy Shopping!

Happy Friday Friends! Can you believe the first week of December is over? How are you guys doing on your holiday lists? I’ve done okay; I still have a few things I need to pick up for my husband, but I’m waiting for him to go on his business trip so I can leave everything out and wrap etc. That, and watch The Family Stone (I’m the only person I know who really likes this movie, haha).

I but this reishi cocoa mix to try and curb my sugar intake (which gets quite out of hand during the holidays…#cookiemonster) and it’s actually pretty good! It’s much butter than the low sugar stuff.

I finished Lethal White by Robert Galbraith (the newest book in J.K. Rowling’s detective series), and immediately had to re-read all of the Cormoran Strike novels. If you haven’t read any of them yet, I highly, highly recommend the first one Cuckoo’s Calling. When I settled it to read it again, I felt like I was meeting up with an old friend.

Today I’m excited to share some Christmas gift ideas for mom. I don’t know about your mom, but my own is generally the most difficult person to shop for on my list. She likes gifts that are fun but above all practical, and that can be a difficult balance! I put together all the best gifts I’ve gotten for her in past years, along with some cute stocking stuffers I’m sure she’d love, at a range of price points. I hope you find some of your own shopping inspiration!

Ring doorbell - This is a doorbell with a camera that connects to your phone, so you can see whenever anyone is in front of your door even when you aren’t home. It’s nice because it’s basically a home alarm system without a monthly fee.

Luggage - My mom is always on the hunt for a nice suitcase, but rarely pulls the trigger despite needing one.

Happy Friday friends! Did you all have a nice post-Thanksgiving week? Mine was good, I decorated for Christmas and baked some cookies and started listening to holiday music and movies- basically it’s full on Christmas in these parts. I’m also almost done Christmas shopping which feels great! I’m not a fan of the overly crowded shopping mall, so not having to brave is a great feeling. Some of the things I enjoyed this week are-

I have been enjoying my coffee in my holiday mug and it makes the mornings feel so much more special!

I’ve been watching re-runs of The Office on Netflix. It’s such a great show to have on in the background. I normally put on Parks & Rec reruns, so The Office has been a fun change of pace.

Every year I try and find cute wrapping paper at a reasonable price and found a number of great rolls at Hallmark! I wanted Paper Source paper but couldn’t stomach the cost, so when I found the Hallmark stuff I was so excited, plus it’s buy one get one 50% off.

My skin has been very dry lately, most likely due to the winter weather and the heat being on everywhere. I started using Embryolisse in the morning and it’s made a huge difference, for $11.99. Plus, it layers well under makeup.

The holidays have always been my favorite time of year. There is something so special about snuggling by a sparkling Christmas tree, baking sugary festive treats and exchanging warm wishes and gifts with the ones we love. Every year there are always a thousand ways that I want to celebrate the holidays and make the year particularly special. This year, in an effort to accomplish at least half of what I want to, I started to whittle away my list the second the turkey left the table. Here’s how I’m hoping to make the 2018 holidays warm and bright -

Decorate a Christmas tree

Bake at least three new cookie recipes

Finish my Christmas shopping early so I can have all the presents wrapped and under the tree to appreciate

Drive around to see all the neighbor’s lights

See the National Christmas tree, the Georgetown light display and U.S. Botanic garden display

Happy Thanksgiving friends! I hope you are all feeling full of cheer and turkey with the ones you love. My husband and I are in Florida with my in-laws, and we can’t wait to catch up with family and friends. I think there are some epic rounds of Rummy 500 in our future, along with a good movie and some good books.

Since I equate the holidays with reading by the fire or snuggling on a family couch (or time in an airport), I thought instead of just posting turkey pictures I’d put together some great books to read over the next few days. I hope you all also have time to relax and delve into a good book!

The first two rows are feel good books, and the last row are some books that will keep you on your toes.

The holidays are here! Have you started on your shopping lists yet? I’ve made a small dent, and I’m hoping to get most of it done this week with the great Black Friday sales. I say this every year though…so we’ll see, haha. Most of my list consists of gifts that are under $25, and I’ve been scouring the internet looking for the best gifts under $25 for her and him to share with all of you. I feel like a lot of bloggers made gift guides full of cute, but over priced items so I tried really hard to find great items that are reasonably priced and that people will actually use. Let me know if there are any other types of gift guides you’d like to see, or present ideas for people who are hard to shop for (looking at you dad!)

Bow hair elastics - Bows are very on trend right now, and these look both cute and luxurious. Perfect as a stocking stuffer or a small gift to a girlfriend. You could even break up the pack and add them to goody bags for several people!

L’Occitane Shea gift set - You can’t go wrong with luxury skincare, especially not at this price. The small sizes make the items great for people who travel a lot too.

J.Crew velvet hair tie - These are so popular! They are 40% off at J.Crew right now, and I bet all the ladies you know secretly want one (or not so secretly)

Sparkly statement necklace - J.Crew Factory has such a great assortment this year, and they have a major Black Friday sale going on.

Satin hair bow - I know, another bow. But I just love them, and I think it’s the perfect gift- something a person wants but isn’t likely to buy for themselves.